Feeder Series Weekly Recap: F1 Academy in the spotlight
- DIVEBOMB Motorsport
- 11 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Written by Jasmin Low, Meghana Sree and Natasha Pinto
Welcome to Feeder Series Weekly Recap, a series bringing you all the news from the world of junior racing series. With F1 Academy coming to an end, plenty of drivers inked fresh deals, while a new name joins the 2026 grid. DIVEBOMB gives the lowdown in their latest recap….
Formula 2
Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak graduates to Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix in 2026
ART Grand Prix have confirmed that Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak will step up to Formula 2 in 2026 for his rookie season.
The decision comes after the 20-year-old completed a successful sophomore year in Formula 3 with Campos Racing earlier this year. Inthraphuvasak achieved three race victories over the course of the championship, including at the season finale in Monza, finishing seventh in the Drivers’ Standings. Additionally, Inthraphuvasak’s efforts allowed the Spanish outfit to win the Teams’ Championship, beating Trident by 11 points.
“I’m very proud to finally announce that I will be joining ART Grand Prix for my rookie season in Formula 2,” remarked Inthraphuvasak, sharing his enthusiasm on joining the French squad.
“The team has proven over the years with its great successes, so I’m confident it’s the right environment for me to take this next step. I’m excited to start this new chapter and to work with everyone in the team ahead of the season.”
Aston Martin Reserve Jak Crawford to complete FP1 and Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi
Aston Martin Formula 1 team have announced that Jak Crawford will complete Free Practice 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, piloting Lance Stroll’s AMR25. This will be the rising star’s second practice session with the team, after he participated in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
The American will take on the role of the team’s Third Driver in 2026, and will be participating in the post-season young driver test, gaining valuable mileage in Formula One machinery.
His testing program with the Silverstone-based team will serve as an addition to his duties in Formula 2 with DAMS, as the 20-year-old gears up for the F2 season finale. With two rounds and four races left on the calendar, Crawford remains in title contention, currently sitting second in the Drivers’ standings.
Laurens van Hoepen and James Wharton to compete in Losail with Trident
Laurens van Hoepen will remain with Trident after making his F2 debut with the team in Baku, in which he finished 17th in both the Sprint and Feature races. The Dutchman’s call-up to the category came after both Max Esterson and Sami Meguetounif were released by Trident following Round 11 in Monza.
Earlier in the year, the 20-year-old competed in Formula 3 with ART Grand Prix, finishing twelfth overall.
Both Van Hoepen and Team Manager Giacomo Ricci recognised consistency to be the main areas of focus during the final two rounds in Lusail and Yas Marina:
“After the experience in Baku, I’ll be back in an FIA F2 Championship car at Lusail and Yas Marina,” said van Hoepen, sharing his excitement to be rounding out the year at the top step on the Feeder Series ladder.
“I can’t wait to get back on track, where the keyword for me will be consistency. My goal will be to be consistently fast.”
Trident will also welcome James Wharton into the team, confirming that the young Aussie will partner van Hoepen in Lusail. The duo are set to be reunited under new colours, as both drivers competed in the 2025 F3 season with ART Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old took a race win during his rookie year in the championship, and despite making his F2 debut in Qatar, Wharton is set to move to PREMA Racing for the 2026 F3 season.
Martinius Stenshorne to compete at Lusail and Yas Marina with Rodin Motorsport
Following his F2 debut in Baku alongside Laurens van Hoepen, Martinius Stenshorne will complete the season with Rodin Motorsport, replacing Amaury Cordeel in the No.16 car. The 19-year-old will partner Alex Dunne, who currently sits fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.
Stenshorne showed strong pace during his first outing with Trident in Baku, qualifying in seventh but later retiring from both races.
Stenshorne’s F3 season with Hitech was fruitful, rounding out the year with five podiums to his name, including both a Sprint and Feature Race victory, finishing fifth overall.
The announcement marks an early debut with the team, as the Norwegian is set to make his full-time debut with Rodin in 2026.
F1 Academy
With another F1 Academy season in the books, it is once again that time of the year when current rookie drivers seek contract renewals to enjoy a sophomore year in the series, while fresh faces await their chance to join the grid for the next season.
So far, six drivers have been confirmed for 2026, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Alisha Palmowski with Red Bull Racing Academy Programme
Alisha Palmowski made sure that her first impression as a full-time driver on the F1 Academy grid would be her best impression, as she joined the series supported by Red Bull and won the first reverse-grid race of 2025 with practiced ease ahead of much more experienced F1 Academy drivers.
The 19-year-old Briton emerged as one of the rising talents of the 2025 season, becoming one of only two drivers — along with McLaren’s Ella Lloyd — to make it into the top five of the Drivers’ standings.
In addition to the season opener win, Palmowski scored four podiums across the seven rounds and finished her maiden F1 Academy campaign with a solid fifth place in the standings on 91 points.
Heading into 2026, Palmowski is one of the early title favourites, known on track for her aggressive yet precise overtakes, late-braking moves and relentless pace.
Rafaela Ferreira with Racing Bulls Academy Programme
Rafaela Ferreira has enjoyed a solid rookie season, with seven points finishes from 14 rounds and a highest result of fifth, secured at the season opener in China.
The Brazilian rookie, racing outside South America for the first time with her 2025 F1 Academy campaign, collected 18 points throughout the season and finished the year 12th in the standings, tied on points with Chloe Chong.
Outside of F1 Academy, Ferreira recently impressed with a victory at the non-championship Trophy Round of the Brazilian Formula 4, supporting the 2025 Formula One São Paulo Grand Prix.
Ferreira recorded fifth in mixed conditions for Race 1, took a commanding victory during Race 2 and rounded out her stellar weekend with P4 and the fastest lap to boot in the final race.
Being the only female driver out of 16 total competitors in this round, Ferreira’s outright pace and clinical overtakes in front of her home crowd no doubt made a strong case for her fresh deal with Racing Bulls and a second year in F1 Academy — where the Brazilian will be eager to consistently compete for podiums and wins.
Lisa Billard with Gatorade
Lisa Billard has experienced a meteoric rise through the ranks of motorsport, beginning her karting career aged seven and going on to a third place finish in the 2023 Championnat de France, becoming the Women’s Champion at the 2025 French F4 Championship at Le Mans, as well as being the first female to win a race in the French Junior Karting Championship.
Her progress opened up the opportunity of entering F1 Academy as the Wild Card entry for Round 6 in Singapore, where she qualified fifth for the main race on debut.
Billard was later selected to participate in F1 Academy’s first ever Rookie Test, going second quickest for the opening session and posting the fourth fastest lap time during the afternoon outing.
Joining the 2026 grid with the support of Gatorade, the 16-year-old driver will be eager to continue her learning experience in F1 Academy while being backed by the expertise of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI).
Esmee Kosterman with LEGO Racing
Before making her Dutch Supercar Challenge debut in 2022, Esmee Kosterman joined the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup Benelux, where she became the first female to win a race in the series. With her experience, she raced in the Lamera Cup before stepping into open-wheel racing, joining the Indian F4 grid with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
Kosterman ended with two top-ten finishes in her first Formula Series weekend and was named the Best Female Lamera Driver by the end of her 2024 Lamera Cup season.
Earlier this year, the Dutch took part in four British F4 races with JHR Development. Her debut came at Silverstone, where she finished with a highest position of 11th, later raced at Snetterton, and lastly joined the field at her home race in Zandvoort. Having experience racing there, Kosterman joined the F1 Academy weekend as a wildcard entry at the same track, qualifying ninth with a best finish of seventh.
To end the year, the Saudi Arabian F4 Championship announced Kosterman would be racing with My-Car. She currently sits in eighth place, leading the female standings, one point ahead of fellow Dutch and F1 Academy driver, Nina Gademan.
After unveiling LEGO’s sponsorship as part of the F1 Academy, the 20-year-old will be piloting the yellow, pink, and blue car as a full-time racer in 2026, setting out to reach championship heights during the season.
Ella Lloyd with McLaren
Lloyd showcased her talent in several series, including the Ginetta GT5 Challenge Pro during the 2023 season, where she finished second overall, as well as the Formula Winter Series based in Spain.
After joining the British F4 series with JHR Developments in 2024, the now 20-year-old joined the F1 Academy as a wildcard entry in Singapore. She finished in ninth and seventh place over the weekend, scoring eight points on her debut.
Lloyd was then announced as part of the 2025 F1 Academy grid as a full-time driver with McLaren. A successful rookie season, she has finished on the podium five times, including securing a win in Jeddah.
In addition to being part of the McLaren Driver Development program, Lloyd will race with the team in her second year next season.
Ella Stevens with McLaren Oxagon
For the first time in the F1 Academy, two McLaren cars will be represented on the grid, the second piloted by Ella Stevens.
Finishing as the vice-champion in the British KZ2 Championship, she has written her name down as the only female to have won a race in a top karting class in the United Kingdom.
Setting a time of 1:46.92, her top performance during the inaugural F1 Academy rookie test in September opened up the opportunity for her to be a part of the McLaren Driver Development program.
The 19-year-old will race as part of Rodin Motorsports and under McLaren Oxagon, in collaboration with NEOM, as she looks to set a high standard for her rookie season.
Ella Häkkinen joins the McLaren Driver Development Program
Ella Häkkinen, daughter of two-time former Formula 1 champion and McLaren driver, has signed with the team’s development program. Already supported by F1 Academy Discover Your Drive and with experience in many karting series, she will be the third female racer backed by the team.
Häkkinen is now the youngest driver in their program as she is set to start her preparation towards single-seater racing in 2027.
